Abstract: An apparatus for use in a physical vapor deposition coating process includes a chamber, a crucible configured to hold a ceramic coating material in the chamber, an energy source operable to heat the interior of the chamber, a fixture for holding at least one substrate in the chamber, an actuator operable to rotate the fixture, and a controller configured to establish a plume of the ceramic coating material in the chamber to deposit the ceramic coating material from the plume onto the at least one substrate and form a ceramic coating thereon, and during the deposition, rotate the at least one substrate at a rotational speed selected with respect to deposition rate of the ceramic coating material onto the at least one substrate.

Abstract: A method for use in a physical vapor deposition coating process includes depositing a ceramic coating material from a plume onto at least one substrate to form a ceramic coating thereon, and during the deposition, rotating the at least one substrate at rotational speed selected with respect to deposition rate of the ceramic coating material onto the at least one substrate.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes retaining a first workpiece and a second workpiece selectively on a workpiece fixture disposed within a deposition chamber. The workpiece fixture includes tooling including a first workpiece holder, a second workpiece holder, and a first hollow wall. The first workpiece is separated from the second workpiece using the first hollow wall. Energy is selectively applied and directed within the deposition chamber, from an energy source toward a first crucible, the first crucible including a plurality of walls defining an upper recess contiguous with, and disposed directly above a first lower recess, at least the upper recess open to an interior of the deposition chamber. During the step of selectively applying and directing energy, a gas valve is controlled to maintain a partial vacuum in the deposition chamber of greater than 2 Pa to control a size and overlap of at least one coating zone formed around each of the at least one workpiece.

Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layered ceramic barrier coating under a chamber pressure of greater than 1 Pascals. In the method, low- and high-dopant ceramic materials are evaporated using input evaporating energies that fall, respectively, above and below a threshold for depositing the materials in a columnar microstructure (low-dopant) and in a branched columnar microstructure (high-dopant).

Abstract: A system for measuring a temperature of a rotating workpiece comprises a deposition chamber, a crucible within the deposition chamber, an energy source, a drive system, a temperature sensor, first and second sensor wires, a dynamic electrical connection, and a control system. The crucible is configured to hold a deposition feedstock material. The energy source is configured to evaporate the deposition feedstock material. The drive system is configured to rotate the workpiece such that the evaporated deposition feedstock material can impinge the rotating workpiece. The temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of the rotating workpiece. The first and second sensor wires are electrically connected to the temperature sensor. The dynamic electrical connection is configured to electrically communicate the signal indicative of the sensed temperature from the rotatable workpiece holder to the stationary portion.

Abstract: An electron beam vapor deposition process for depositing coatings includes placing a source coating material in a crucible of a vapor deposition apparatus; energizing the source coating with an electron beam raster pattern that delivers a controlled power density to the material in the crucible forming a vapor cloud from the source coating material; and depositing the source coating material onto a surface of a work piece.

Abstract: A coating system for coating a part (10), such as a turbine blade or vane, has a mask (14) positioned adjacent to a first portion (16) of the part (10) to be coated and a mechanism (30) for moving the mask (14) relative to the part (10). The mechanism (30) may be a gear mechanism or a magnetic mechanism.

Abstract: A coating system for coating a part (10), such as a turbine blade or vane, has a mask (14) positioned adjacent to a first portion (16) of the part (10) to be coated and a mechanism (30) for moving the mask (14) relative to the part (10). The mechanism (30) may be a gear mechanism or a magnetic mechanism.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a deposition chamber, a workpiece fixture including a first workpiece holder, and a first crucible. The workpiece holder is configured to retain a first workpiece in the deposition chamber. The first crucible includes a body including at least one wall defining a non-circular upper recess with a base. A first lower recess is formed below the base of the upper recess and configured to retain a first primary coating feedstock therein.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a first crucible in communication with a deposition chamber, an energy source, and a workpiece fixture. The first crucible includes a plurality of walls defining an upper recess and a first lower recess, at least the upper recess open to an interior of the deposition chamber. The energy source is configured to selectively apply and direct energy within the deposition chamber, including toward the first crucible. The workpiece fixture includes tooling and a plurality of workpiece holders configured to retain at least one workpiece selectively within the deposition chamber. The tooling includes at least one wall separating at least a first of the plurality of workpiece holders from a second of the plurality of workpiece holders.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate and a multi-layered ceramic barrier coating on a substrate. The coating includes, from the substrate outward, a first layer of a low-dopant ceramic material and a second layer high-dopant ceramic material. The first layer has a columnar microstructure and the second layer has a branched columnar microstructure.

Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layered ceramic barrier coating under a chamber pressure of greater than 1 Pascals. In the method, low- and high-dopant ceramic materials are evaporated using input evaporating energies that fall, respectively, above and below a threshold for depositing the materials in a columnar microstructure (low-dopant) and in a branched columnar microstructure (high-dopant).

Abstract: A coated component with a coating applied by Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD) includes at least one Non Line of Sight (NLOS) area and at least one Line of Sight (LOS) area, a coating on the workpiece defines a ratio greater than about 10% NLOS/LOS.

Abstract: A method for use in a physical vapor deposition coating process includes depositing a ceramic coating material from a plume onto at least one substrate to form a ceramic coating thereon, and during the deposition, rotating the at least one substrate at rotational speed selected with respect to deposition rate of the ceramic coating material onto the at least one substrate.

Abstract: A system for depositing coating on a workpiece includes a deposition chamber within which is formed a vortex to at least partially surround a workpiece therein.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus (20) comprising: a chamber (22); a process gas source (62) coupled to the chamber; a vacuum pump (52) coupled to the chamber; at least two electron guns (26); one or more power supplies (30) coupled to the electron guns; a plurality of crucibles (32,33,34) positioned or positionable in an operative position within a field of view of at least one said electron gun; and a part holder (170) having at least one operative position for holding parts spaced above the crucibles by a standoff height H. The standoff height H is adjustable in a range including at least 22 inches.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus comprises: an infeed chamber; a preheat chamber; a deposition chamber; and optionally at least one of a cooldown chamber and an outlet chamber. At least a first of the preheat chamber and the cooldown chamber contains a buffer system for buffering workpieces respectively passing to or from the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A coating system includes a work piece, a coating delivery apparatus configured to apply a coating material to the work piece in a plasma-based vapor stream, and a first electron gun configured to direct a first electron beam at the plasma-based vapor stream for adding thermal energy to the coating material in the plasma-based vapor stream.

Abstract: A coating apparatus comprises a coating chamber for coating the articles. The at least one preheat chamber is coupled to the coating chamber. The at least one loading station has a proximal end connectable to at least one of the preheat chambers when in an installed position at a distal end of the preheat chamber. The loading station further includes a carrier for carrying the articles and a drive system. The drive system is positioned to move the carrier between: a loading/unloading position of the carrier in the loading station; a preheat position of the carrier in the preheat chamber to which the loading station is connected; and a deposition position of the carrier in the coating chamber. A gas source is connected to the preheat chamber.

Abstract: A coating system includes a coating source and a planetary manipulator assembly that includes a first driveshaft capable of receiving rotational input, a sun gear rotationally fixed to the first driveshaft, a planetary gear engaged with the sun gear, a second driveshaft rotationally fixed to the planetary gear such that torque is transmitted from the sun gear to the planetary gear, a support shaft operatively engaged with the second driveshaft, a carrier body supporting the planetary gear relative to the sun gear, a third driveshaft capable of receiving rotational input, and a drive gear rotationally fixed to the third driveshaft. The support shaft is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second driveshaft. The carrier body is rotatable by the drive gear about a common axis with the sun gear, and rotation of the carrier body rotates the planetary gear and the second driveshaft about the sun gear.